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« Come as U R | Main | Cat On A Hot Tin Roof »

March 19, 2010

Comments

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Alexei's speech in the early part of the novel is more powerful, more of a cri de couer than what was rendered in the play. All through the play crucial speeches are either omitted altogether, or rewritten to change their meaning, sometimes by 180 degrees.

Michael

I went to see this last night not having read the reviews. My initial reaction was to give it a 6.7. Then I read the five star reviews on my return home and was surprised. I recently read the novel The White Guard and I agree Upton's version veers too far towards jokiness and cheap laughs. I found Larion unfunny. Alexei's speech in the early part of the novel is more powerful, more of a cri de couer than what was rendered in the play. I found Elena falling for Shervinsky (nicknamed 'the carp' in the novel) unconvincing. I also found the denouement unsatisfactory. In the novel Alexei is critically injured but survives. He pulls through and this is a metaphor too i think. Also Nikolka is much younger, braver, impetuous, is a fighter. This version of the play, unfortunately, seems to diminish all the Turbins. It doesn't do Bulgakov or his work justice. However, I was impressed by the sets and the design and the battle scenes.

Ian

How interesting to read. I personally loved the play, I rather liked the mix of humour and wistfulness with the brutal war (I wasn't just enchanted by the set changes!) but since I had no previous knowledge of The White Guard, or indeed much Bulgakov really, I had a somewhat different experience!

Webcowgirl.wordpress.com

Wow. I just went to see this play and thought it was poo. I was heartbroken that my Bulgakov had so let me down. Now I'm going to find the original text. In short: WTF. And thanks for writing this.

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